PHOTO BLOG: Snow traps thousands in Romania

Over the past several weeks, deep snow and intense cold have gripped Eastern Europe, isolating rural communities and families. In Romania, 6,000 people have been cut off for days, a result of major roads being closed and more than 300 trains cancelled. Here are some recent images of the conditions faced by families and communities amid the bone-chilling winter weather.

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A woman in Maia, northeast of Bucharest, stands in her kitchen, which has no windows. The Health Ministry of Romania says 74 people have died from hypothermia since the extreme cold weather began in late January. (Daniela Gheorghe/World Vision)

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Mario, 3, tries to stay warm in the frigid, snowy conditions. World Vision accepts corporate donations of warm clothing, like hats, gloves, coats, pants, and boots, and distributes them to families in need in cold climates like Romania. (Ana Maria Motateanu/World Vision)

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Snow blankets the city of Bucharest. A state of emergency has been declared for eastern Romania. (Laura Reinhardt/World Vision)

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The snows proved too much for this snow plow in Maia. Military flights are dropping food supplies into areas of the Balkans inaccessible by road. (Daniela Gheorghe/World Vision)

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"Thank God someone is thinking about us," says Florica, the mother of three young children. Recently, World Vision provided food, blankets, and shoes to 1,500 individuals, many of them children or elderly people in its service area. The response is being expanded into Buzau and Vrancea counties. (Daniela Gheorghe/World Vision)

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Many homes in rural Romania are constructed of mud, sand, and hay. Prolonged cold living conditions can contribute to ill health, particularly among children, the elderly, and families living in poor housing. (Daniela Gheorghe/World Vision)

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Record-high snowfall covers cars and paralyzes travel in Bucharest. In addition to hypothermia and frostbite, injuries and accidents increase during extreme cold weather, along with the incidence of respiratory infections and cardiovascular ailments, according to the World Health Organization. (Laura Reinhardt/World Vision)

Make a one-time gift to help provide warm clothing to children in need in cold climates like Romania. Your donation, combined with generous donations from our corporate partners, will multiply 11 times to deliver items like coats, boots, shirts, pants, and more.

Also, consider sponsoring a child in Romania. Your love and support for a boy or girl in need will provide extra stability and assistance during times of crisis, like the recent cold snap.